GAINESVILLE, GA (April 28, 2016) - Billy Mitchell, noted
amateur player from Roswell, won his first Yamaha
Georgia Senior Open contested at the Chattahoochee
Golf Course in Gainesville. Mitchell fired a second round
of four-under par 68 for a two-day total of 7-under par
137 and defeated mini-tour professional John L. Smith
from Statesboro in a playoff.

Mitchell started the day tied for fourth place after a
first round of three-under par 69, and got off to a torrid
start by making birdies on five of his first ten holes to
get to 8-under for the championship and a three shot
lead. A double bogey on the 13th hole brought him back
to 6-under and his lead was down to one stroke. He
then proceeded to bounce back with a birdie the par
four 14th hole and carded four straight pars to finish at
7-under. He then waited for the final groups to finish
their rounds.

Smith, who caddies on the PGA Tour, was one of
the first round co-leaders, and shot a final round of 3-
under par 69 to equal Mitchell in the clubhouse. The duo
returned to the 18th hole and a routine two-putt par
was all Mitchell needed to defeat Smith who was unable
to get up and down. For his efforts, Smith claimed the
Low Professional honors and a check for $2,200.
Mitchell also took home Low Amateur honors for the
second straight year.

Defending champion, PGA Life Member James
Mason from Dillard, finished tied in 9th place at 3-under
par 141. Three-time past champion Craig Stevens from
Brookstone Golf & Country Club in Acworth finished
alone in third place at 6-under par 138. Rounding out
the top five were PGA head professional Stephen
Keppler at Marietta Country Club and noted amateur
Don Marsh of Johns Creek who both finished at 5-under
par 139.

Introduced for the first time in this championship
was a Super Seniors Division, with amateur Dave
Nichols of Roswell taking home first place with an even
par score of 144 for the championship.